Handle having disposable cleaning head

ABSTRACT

A cleaning apparatus including: (1) a substantially hollow tubular body having a bore extending therein, (2) actuation means operably coupled to the body and including a plunger disposed within the body and (3) a cleaning head detachably coupled to the body, wherein actuation of the plunger ejects the cleaning head from the body.

CROSS-REFERENCE

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of PCT Application No.WO 01/15587 A1 entitled BRUSH filed on Aug. 30, 2000 which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a handle for cleaningpurposes and, more specifically, to a handle having a disposablecleaning head.

[0003] Traditional brushes, in particular toilet brushes, pose ahygienic problem because the cleaning head provides a fertile medium forbacteria and fungi. In addition to the unattractive appearance of thebrush after repeated use, the contamination of the cleaning head canlead to health hazards for the user.

[0004] Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a toilet brush thataddresses the above-discussed issues.

SUMMARY

[0005] The present disclosure provides a cleaning apparatus including abody, an actuator operably coupled to the body, and a flushable cleaninghead detachably coupled to the body and removable from the body inresponse to actuation of the actuator. In another embodiment, thecleaning apparatus includes a substantially hollow tubular body having abore extending therein. The cleaning apparatus may also includeactuation means operably coupled to the body and including a plungerdisposed within the body. A cleaning head may be detachably coupled tothe body, such that actuation of the plunger ejects the cleaning headfrom the body.

[0006] A disposable cleaning head for use with a handle is alsointroduced in the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the disposablecleaning head is detachably couplable to the handle and includes aplurality of bristles having ends collectively forming a cleaningsurface. The disposable cleaning head also includes a sleeve retainingportions of ones of the plurality of bristles, and may also include aplurality of bridges connecting ones of the plurality of bristles.

[0007] A handle for use with a disposable cleaning head is also providedin the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the handle includes asubstantially hollow tubular body having a bore extending at leastpartially therein. A plunger head is disposed within the bore proximatean end of the body. Such an embodiment of the handle also includes aretainer configured to temporarily engage the disposable cleaning head,wherein actuation of the plunger head ejects the disposable cleaninghead from the retainer.

[0008] A disposable cleaning head dispenser is also introduced in thepresent disclosure. In one embodiment, the dispenser includes a housingand a plurality of disposable cleaning heads stored in the housing. Aretainer detachably coupled to the housing includes a plurality ofselectively removable portions each providing access to a correspondingone of the plurality of disposable cleaning heads.

[0009] The present disclosure also provides a cleaning kit. The cleaningkit includes a dispenser and at least one disposable cleaning headstored in the dispenser. The cleaning kit also includes a handle havingan end configured to detachably retain the disposable cleaning head.

[0010] The present disclosure also provides a method of cleaning asurface including providing a body and inserting a cleaning head intothe body such that the cleaning head is retained in the body. Thecleaning head is contacted against the surface to clean the surface. Thecleaning head is then ejected from the body.

[0011] The foregoing has outlined preferred and alternative features ofseveral embodiments so that those skilled in the art may betterunderstand the detailed description that follows. Additional featureswill be described below that further form the subject of the claimsherein. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readilyuse the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying otherprocesses and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/orachieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein.Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalentconstructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from thefollowing detailed description when read with the accompanying figures.It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in theindustry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, thedimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased orreduced for clarity of discussion.

[0013]FIG. 1 shows a cleaning head according to the inventionschematically in a longitudinal section and in a horizontal projection.

[0014]FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a cleaning head holder of theinvention in a longitudinal section.

[0015]FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a cleaning head holderof the invention in a longitudinal section.

[0016]FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a cleaning head holderaccording to the invention in a lateral view.

[0017]FIG. 5 shows the cleaning head holder of FIG. 4 in a longitudinalsection

[0018]FIG. 6 shows an alternative cleaning head holder according to theinvention in a longitudinal section.

[0019]FIG. 7 shows in four models the utilization of the cleaning headholder together with a cleaning head dispenser.

[0020]FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of one embodiment of a handleconstructed according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0021]FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom view of the handle shown in FIG. 8.

[0022]FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a portion ofan embodiment of the handle shown in FIG. 8.

[0023]FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded perspective view of anotherportion of an embodiment of the handle shown in FIG. 8.

[0024]FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of acleaning head section constructed according to aspects of the presentdisclosure.

[0025]FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of the cleaning headsection shown in FIG. 12 with a portion removed for clarity.

[0026]FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of acleaning head constructed according to aspects of the presentdisclosure.

[0027]FIG. 15 illustrates a sectional view of an embodiment of thehandle shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0028]FIGS. 16a-16 c each illustrate sectional views of a portion ofanother embodiment of a handle in successive stages of operationaccording to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0029]FIG. 17 illustrates a sectional view of one embodiment of adispenser constructed according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0030]FIG. 18 illustrates a schematic view of one embodiment of acleaning kit constructed according to aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] It is to be understood that the following disclosure providesmany different embodiments, or examples, for implementing differentfeatures of various embodiments. Specific examples of components andarrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure.These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to belimiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat referencenumerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is forthe purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate arelationship between the various embodiments and/or configurationsdiscussed. Moreover, the coupling of a first feature to a second featurein the description that follows may include embodiments in which thefirst and second features are directly coupled, and may also includeembodiments in which additional features may be coupled interposing thefirst and second features, such that the first and second features maynot be directly coupled.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1-3 collectively, illustrated are sectionalviews of an embodiment of a cleaning head 10, a first embodiment of abrush holder 20 and a second embodiment of a brush holder 30,respectively, comprising various components of a cleaning apparatusconstructed according to aspects of the present invention. That is, thecleaning apparatus, shown as executed as a toilet brush, may comprise acleaning head 10, as shown in FIG. 1, and a cleaning head holder asindicated in FIG. 2 in general by the number 20 and in FIG. 3 in generalby the number 30. The cleaning head may be executed as a one-waycleaning head consisting of a sleeve 2 that precisely fits the cleaninghead holder 20, 30. If necessary, the sleeve 2 may be supplemented by anextension tube made of cellulose or the like in order to be able toeffectively clean hard-to-reach places in toilet bowls, etc. Connectedto the sleeve 2 may be several rolled-up strips of paper or similarmaterial that serve as bristles 1 and that may be held together by aprotective cover 3. Prior to using the one-way brush, the protectivecover 3 must be removed, allowing the bristles 1 of the cleaning head 10to unfold. After use, the cleaning head may be discarded by means of apush button 4 on the cleaning head holder 20, 30 and disposed of in atoilet, waste receptacle or the like.

[0033] The cleaning heads of the invention may comprise awell-degradable material, possibly a material that is easily soluble inwater, e.g., one similar to toilet paper. The cleaning heads may beformed form cellulose or a water-soluble plastic that can be made fromreplenishable raw materials. Such water-soluble plastic can be processedlike normal plastic in jet moldings, but may have the advantage that thecleaning heads made of this material can also be disposed of via thetoilet due to its water solubility. Furthermore, the cleaning head canbe impregnated with scent, cleaning and/or disinfection agents, withthese agents possibly being used in gel form.

[0034] The cleaning head holder 20, 30 may comprise a handle 5 made ofmetal, PVC or similar material to which the cleaning heads may beassembled. The cleaning head holder may also be equipped with amechanism 6 that makes it possible to slide off the cleaning heads bymeans of the push button 4 on the handle. The cleaning head holder 30according to FIG. 3 furthermore is equipped with a ball mechanism 7 thatfirmly locks the cleaning head in position after it has been assembled.FIG. 2 shows a simpler solution provided for manual use by hand [sic].However, the model according to FIG. 3 may provide more secure retainingof the cleaning head on the brush holder and is intended for use with aone-way cleaning head dispenser.

[0035] Such a one-way cleaning head dispenser may comprise, e.g., astorage container with several cleaning heads that drops in front of aremoval opening by force of gravity or a spring. Several small knivesmay be arranged around the removal opening that tear open the protectivecover of the cleaning head when it is pulled out of the removal opening.The cleaning head holder may be inserted through the removal openinginto the cleaning head and automatically locked in place by means of theball mechanism. When the one-way brush is pulled out, the protectivecover of the cleaning head may thus be torn open and the one-way toiletbrush is instantly ready to use. One embodiment of this process is shownin FIG. 7 in the sequence a) through d). In step a), a magazine for thestorage container may first be mounted on a wall with screws or,alternatively, with adhesive tape. The magazine has a front wall thatcan be folded out and whose lower end has an opening for the insertionof the cleaning head holder. In step b), the storage container is placedinto the magazine, and it can be seen that the brush sits in a holder onthe right side of the magazine. In step c), the cleaning head holder ispressed against a cleaning head, and the brush is thus ready to use. Instep d), the cleaning process may be carried out.

[0036]FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a cleaninghead holder 40 constructed according to aspects of the presentdisclosure. It differs from the models described above in that thehandle 5′ is equipped with a bend a of approximately 155°. The bend maymake cleaning hard-to-reach places in toilet bowls easier. FIG. 5illustrates a sectional view of an embodiment of the cleaning headholder of FIG. 4 that, for space reasons, was separated into twosegments. From FIG. 5, one can recognize additional differences of thisembodiment of the cleaning head holder vis-à-vis those of FIGS. 2 and 3.The cleaning head holder 40 features a movable connection element 11split lengthwise at the end of the cleaning head side in the interior ofthe handle 5′ that interlocks with a flexible extension 4 a of the pushbutton 4 and which transfers translation motions of the push button 4 tothe sleeve-shaped ejection mechanism 6 via a bolt 9 that can slide inoblong slots 5 a of the handle 5′. The ejection mechanism 6 features aflange 6 a that serves as a stopper for the protective cover of thecleaning head. The protective paper cover is pushed back to the stopper.The spring 12 resets the push button 4 to its starting position. Inaddition, a cap 8 that can be forced on by pressure closes thetube-shaped handle 5′ off.

[0037]FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of another embodiment of acleaning head holder 60 constructed according to aspects of the presentdisclosure. It differs from the design models of FIGS. 4 and 5 mainly inthat the handle comprises several parts, namely a grip part 5 b, a conepart 5 c, a connection tube 5 d, another connection part 5 e and a headpart 5 f that features the oblong slots 5 a for the bolt 9 whichtraverses the connection part 11′. The ejection mechanism 6 is pushedover the head part 5 f. The parts of the handle may be formed of plasticor stainless steel, and may be cemented or otherwise adhered together.In contrast with the previous model, the push button 4 does not featurean extension, but is connected by means of a stud screw 13 to a relativestiff stainless-steel wire 14 whose other end locks into the connectionpart 11′. The wire 14 transmits the translation motions of the pushbutton 4 to the connection part 11′. The spring 12 again serves to resetthe push button 4 to its starting position. The connection tube 5 d ofthe handle is bent prior to the assembly in order to create theaforementioned bend.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, illustrated are side and bottom viewsof one embodiment of a handle 50 constructed according to aspects of thepresent disclosure. The handle 50 may include a substantially hollowtubular body 51 which may include a bore extending through a majorportion thereof, such as the embodiments described below with referenceto FIGS. 10 and 11. The body 51 may generally include a handle section52, a middle section 54, and a cleaning head section 56, all of whichmay be formed of any suitable material, such as ABS or PVC plastic, byinjection-molding and/or other processes. The body 51 may be formed inany number of sections, including unitarily. However, for the sake ofclarity, the body 51 will be described hereafter with respect to theabove-described sections. For ease of construction, the handle section52 and the middle section 54 may each comprise two substantiallyidentical halves that are mirror images. However, the portions of thebody 51 are not limited to such construction within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

[0039] The cleaning head section 56 houses a cleaning head 58 locatedadjacent or proximate an end 57 of the body 51. The cleaning head 58 maycomprise a cleaning means 60, such as the embodiments described belowwith reference to FIGS. 12a and 12 b. The cleaning means 60 may comprisebristles, fibers, cotton and/or paper masses, unitary cloth, and/orvarious other materials or arrangements.

[0040] The handle section 52 includes an actuation means 62 adjacent orproximate a second end 61 of the body 51. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, the actuation means 62 is within graspingdistance of the second body end 61, possibly between about 3 inches andabout 8 inches, and further away from the first body end 57 than theaverage water depth in a conventional toilet bowl. In one embodiment,the actuation means 62 comprises a collar that is slidable with respectto the longitudinal axis of the body 51. However, it is understood thata variety of actuation means are contemplated herein. For example, theactuation means 62 may additionally or alternatively comprise a lever,trigger, push button or other means of actuation. In the illustratedembodiment, the actuation means 62 also includes a plurality of knurls63 and is concentrically disposed about a portion of the handle section52. As will be described below, the actuation means 62 may aid therelease of the cleaning head 58 from the body 51.

[0041] The handle section 52 may also include means for storing thehandle 50, such as hanging the handle 50 on a hook, clip or anotherhanger. For example, the handle section 52 may comprise an opening 64,which may take the form of an oblong bore, formed through the handlesection 52 such that the handle 50 may be hung from a small hook.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 10, illustrated is an exploded perspective viewof a portion of an embodiment of the handle 50 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the handle section 52 of thebody 51 may include a handle member 66 which may be partially hollow andmay include a plurality of ridges 68 a-d (halves of which are shown).The ridges 68 a-d may take a variety of shapes so as to reinforce thehandle member 66 or, alternatively, may be absent, thereby defining thehandle member 66 as substantially hollow.

[0043] A housing section 70 may be coupled to or integrally formed withthe handle member 66. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing section70 houses a driver 72. Moreover, while the housing section 70 may besubstantially hollow, it may nonetheless include a plurality oftransversely disposed guides 74, 76 and 78 (halves of which are shown)having cross-like grooves or bores 80, 82 and 84 formed therethrough.The driver 72 may be an elongated member having a cross-like sectionalshape corresponding with the guides 74, 76 and 78, such that uponseating the driver within the housing section 70, the guides 74, 76 and78 receive the driver 72 in a corresponding engagement. Of course, thescope of the present disclosure does not limit the driver 72 and theguides 74, 76 and 78 to the particular shapes shown in FIG. 10, suchthat other shapes may be employed to encourage the engagement of thedriver 72 and the guides 74, 76 and 78. For example, in anotherembodiment, the housing section 70 may be partially or substantiallysolid, possibly depending on the particular weight or supportcharacteristics desired. In such an embodiment, the internal profile ofthe substantially solid housing 72 may correspond to the externalprofile of the driver 72.

[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the driver 72 further includes apost 86, which may alternatively be formed as two posts, for extendingthrough a pair of corresponding elongated slots 88 formed through thehousing section 70. Each end of the post 86 may be secured to theactuation means 62 via a pair of receptacles 90 (one of which is shown)coupled to or integrally formed with and extending from an inner surface92 of the actuation means 62, thereby coupling the driver 72 to theactuation means. The raised receptacles 90 may also extend through theelongated slots 88 to further guide the actuation means 62 on the handlesection 52 of the body 51.

[0045] The handle section 52 may also include a step 94 from the handlemember 66 to the housing section 70 such that one end of the actuationmeans 62 abuts the step 94, thus providing a stop for the actuationmeans 62. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the actuation means 62 may beaxially movable via the cooperation of the post 86, the slots 88 and thereceptacles 90, as further described below with respect to the operationof the handle 50. The handle section 52 may also include a connector 96coupled to or formed integrally with the housing section 70. Theconnector 96 may include one or more knurls 98 for coupling to themiddle section 54, as described below.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 11, illustrated is an exploded perspective viewof another portion of the handle shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The middlesection 54 may include a housing 100 optionally formed to include a bend128, such that the handle 50 may be used to clean the inner surface of atoilet bowl and other hard-to-reach places. The housing 100 may besubstantially hollow with the possible exception of a plurality oftransversely disposed guides 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 and 114 (halves ofwhich are shown) having circular-like grooves or bores 116, 118, 120,122, 124 and 126 formed therethrough. The housing 100 may also enclose aplunger mechanism 102 adapted to receive a translational force from thedriver 72. The plunger mechanism 102 may include a drivable element 130having a generally circular cross-section such that upon seating theplunger mechanism within the housing 100, the guides 104, 106, 108, 110,112 and 114 receive the drivable element 130 in a correspondingengagement. The drivable element 130 may take the form of an elongatedrod or wire, and may be flexible. Of course, non-circular shapes mayalso be employed for the engagement of the driver element 130 and thegrooves 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 and 126.

[0047] The housing 100 may also include a spring compartment 132 forreceiving a spring 134 concentrically disposed around a portion of thedrivable element 130. The spring compartment 132 may also receive a cap136 coupled to or formed integrally with the drivable element 130. Thespring 134 may take the form of a variety of springs, such as aconventional compression spring. The spring compartment 132 may be ofsufficient size to house the spring 134 in an unbiased state. The middlesection 54 may also include one or more grooves 138 formed therein toreceive the connector 96 of the handle section 52 in a couplingengagement.

[0048] The plunger mechanism 102 may also include a plunger head 140,possibly adapted to impart a translational force to the cleaning head 58(see FIGS. 8 and 9). The plunger head 140 may include a protrusion 142extending therefrom for coupling to the drivable element 130. The guide114 and corresponding groove 126 may be sized to allow passage of theprotrusion 142 while restricting movement of the plunger head 140 beyondthe guide 114 so as to provide a stop mechanism for the plunger head140. Of course, a variety of stop mechanisms may be employed other thanthe guide 114. The plunger head 140 may also include one or more O-rings144 for preventing the passage of fluid as will be further described.The middle section 54 may also include a grooved portion 146 (half ofwhich is shown) for coupling the middle section 54 to the cleaning headsection 56 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). The cleaning head section 56 may also beformed integrally with them idle section 54.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 12, illustrated is a perspective view of oneembodiment of the cleaning head section 56 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Thecleaning head section 56 may house the plunger head 140 and receive thecleaning head 58 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). Accordingly, the cleaning headsection 56 may include a connector 148 adapted to fit within the groovedportion 146 of the middle section 54, thereby coupling the cleaning headsection 56 and middle section 54. In some embodiments, an adhesive maybe employed to strengthen the connection between the cleaning headsection 56 and the middle section 54.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 13, illustrated is a perspective view of thecleaning head section 56 shown in FIG. 12 with a portion removed forclarity, As shown in FIG. 13, the cleaning head section 56 may include astep 154 along an inner surface 149 thereof to define a plunger portion150 and a receiver portion 152. The plunger portion 150 may be definedas the portion of the cleaning head section 56 having a thicker widthrelative to the receiver portion 152. The plunger portion 150 may housethe plunger head 140 when the plunger head is in an initial position.The receiver portion 152 may be defined as the portion of the cleaninghead section 56 having a thinner width relative to the plunger portion150. The receiver portion 152 may provide a receptacle for housing thecleaning head 58 when the cleaning head 58 is in a retained position.

[0051] The step 154 that divides the plunger portion 150 from thereceiver portion 152 may also define a stop against which the cleaninghead 58 is positioned. A plurality of longitudinally-extending ribs 156(one of which is shown) may also be formed on the inner surface 149 ofthe cleaning head section 56 for gripping the cleaning head 58 wheninserted in the cleaning head section 56.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 14, illustrated is a perspective view of oneembodiment of the cleaning head 58 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 constructedaccording to aspects of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, thecleaning head 58 includes a receiving sleeve 158 that retains a portionof the cleaning means 60 and is adapted to be gripped and retained bythe receiver portion 152, possibly via the ribs 156 upon insertion ofthe cleaning head 58. A variety of retaining means other than thereceiving sleeve 158 are contemplated, including string, winding,adhesive and/or other materials. The cleaning means 60 may be retainedby the receiving sleeve 158 and extend therefrom to define the portionof the cleaning head 58 that contacts an area to be cleaned. Thecleaning means 60 and the receiving sleeve 158 may be formed of avariety of materials, including any biodegradable material such aspaper. The cleaning means 60 may also comprise materials that are easilyand safely flushed in a residential and/or industrial toilet.

[0053] In one embodiment, the cleaning means 60 comprise bristles,possibly attached to one another via a plurality of bridges 160. Thebridges 160 may hold the bristles together and facilitate flaring of thebristles. The bristles may be positioned relative to one another in avariety of manners including a substantially spiral, concentric, foldedor layered arrangement. The ends of the bristles or other cleaning means60 opposite the receiving sleeve 158 may also form a generally concavecleaning surface. Among other purposes, the concave shape of thecollective ends of the bristles or other cleaning means 60 may encouragethe cleaning means 60 to flare in response to contact with a surface tobe cleaned, thereby improving cleaning quality and efficiency.

[0054] A cleaning solution, generally depicted by reference numeral 162,may optionally be pre-applied to the cleaning means 60. Alternatively,or in addition to the cleaning solution 162, a chemical tablet 164 maybe adhered in any conventional manner to the ends of the cleaning means60 opposite the receiving sleeve 158. The chemical tablet allows aspecified dose of a chemical substance, such as a cleanser and/ordisinfectant, to be provided on the cleaning head 58. In one embodiment,the concavity of the cleaning means 60 provides a recess within whichthe chemical tablet 164 may be positioned.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 15, illustrated is a sectional view of anembodiment of the handle 50 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In operation, thecleaning head 58 is inserted into the body 51 such that the receivingsleeve 158 of the cleaning head 58 engages the ribs 156 of the cleaninghead section 56 (FIG. 11b) and abuts the stop 154. Upon insertion, thecleaning head 58 is retained in an initial position within the cleaninghead section 56 and cleaning operations may commence.

[0056] During cleaning operations, the user holds the handle 50 andcontacts the cleaning means 60 of the cleaning head 58 against a surface(not shown) to be cleaned, such as the interior of a toilet bowl.Various amounts of pressure may be applied by the user to the handle 50such that the cleaning means 60 may flare out during cleaning, therebycleaning a greater surface area. In embodiments in which the cleaninghead 58 includes bristles, the bridges 160 connecting the bristles andthe general concavity along the distal ends of the bristles mayfacilitate such flaring, or spreading, of the bristles, therebymaximizing the surface area cleaned during use of the handle 50.

[0057] In embodiments in which the O-rings 144 are disposed around theplunger head 140, fluid may be substantially prevented from passingbeyond the plunger head 140 during cleaning of surfaces which areunderwater. It is understood that during cleaning, the actuation means62, the driver 72 and the plunger mechanism 102 are all in their initialpositions.

[0058] Upon completion of the cleaning operations, the user may disposeof the cleaning head 58 by actuating the driver 72 via the actuationmeans 62. While holding the handle member 66, the user may grip theactuation means 62 with the aid of the knurls 63 formed thereon. Theuser may then apply a translational force to move the actuation means 62toward the cleaning head section 56, which transfers such force via thepost 86 to the driver 72, which in turn is moved distally to contact thecap 136. Movement of the driver 72 may force the cap 136 and thedrivable element 130 in a distal direction, which biases the spring 134against the guide 104 (see FIGS. 10 and 11).

[0059] Movement of the drivable element 130, in turn, may drive theplunger head 140 against the cleaning head 58 to urge and eventuallyeject the cleaning head 58 from the body 51. The plunger head 140 isdriven such that it may become substantially flush with the distal endof the body 51, which facilitates removal of a used cleaning head 58.The cleaning head 58, preferably being formed of biodegradable and/orflushable materials, may simply be disposed of into a toilet andsubsequently flushed. The user may then release the actuation means 62,which causes the spring 134 to return to its initial position, therebyreturning the actuation means 62, the driver 72, and the plungermechanism 102 to their initial positions.

[0060] Thus, the handle 50 enjoys the advantage of retaining abiodegradable cleaning head 58 while providing for the disposal thereofin a simple to use method and apparatus. Furthermore, use of the handle50 eliminates the need to touch or store the cleaning head 58 afterbecoming contaminated with harmful germs and the like. Still further, byproviding for retention of the cleaning head 58 within the body 51, thereceiving sleeve 158 of the cleaning head remains relatively dry duringuse. Thus, weakening of the receiving sleeve 158 due to saturation isreduced. Even when the cleaning head 58 becomes somewhat wet duringcleaning, the amount of swelling of the receiving sleeve 158 would notexceed the size of the ribs 156. Thus, the problem of jamming of thecleaning head 58 during ejection is also reduced. Also, the receivingsleeve 158 retains the cleaning means 60 even when the cleaning means 60increases in size due to saturation.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 16a-c, illustrated are sectional views analternative handle 170 (a portion of which is shown) constructedaccording to aspects of the present disclosure. The handle 70 includes acleaning head section 172 for housing a plunger head 174. A cleaninghead 176 associated with the handle 170 includes a sleeve 178, a portionof which is positioned around a plurality of bristles 180 to define arecessed portion 182. As shown more particularly in FIG. 16a, thecleaning head 176 may be adapted for a friction fit or interference fitwith the plunger head 174 when the plunger head is in an initialposition.

[0062] In operation, the cleaning head 176 is engaged with the plungerhead 174 via the recessed portion 182 when the plunger head is in theinitial position and cleaning operations may commence, as shown in FIG.16a. Upon completion of the cleaning operations, the cleaning head 176may be removed from the handle 170 by actuating a collar, pushing abutton or otherwise operating an actuator operatively connected to theplunger head 174 to move the plunger head 174 to a second position, asshown in FIG. 16b. It is understood that the collar and the plunger head174 may interact in a similar manner as described with respect toprevious embodiments. Referring to FIG. 16c, when the plunger head 174is retracted from the second position (or sooner), the cleaning head 176may fall away from the handle 170 to be disposed of into a toilet, wastereceptacle or the like.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 17, illustrated is a sectional view of oneembodiment of a disposable cleaning head dispenser 800 constructedaccording to aspects of the present disclosure. The dispenser 800includes a housing 810 and one or more disposable cleaning heads 820stored in the housing 810. The housing 810 may comprise plastic,aluminum, paper products or other materials, and may be formed byinjection-molding, press-forming, paper forming processes and/or otherprocesses. The disposable cleaning heads 820 may be substantiallysimilar to the cleaning head 58 shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 14 and/or thecleaning head 176 shown in FIGS. 16a-16 c. Moreover, while the dispenser800 is illustrated as containing 4 disposable cleaning heads 820, thedispenser 800 may include any number of heads 820 within the scope ofthe present disclosure.

[0064] The dispenser 800 also includes a retainer 830 detachably coupledto the housing 810 and having a plurality of selectively removableportions 835 each providing access to a corresponding one of theplurality of disposable cleaning heads 820. For example, the retainer830 may comprise a perforated foil or other material detachably adheredto the housing 810. In operation, one of the portions 835 of theretainer 830 may be punctured, peeled away and/or otherwise removed toprovide access to one of the cleaning heads 820 without exposing theremaining cleaning heads 820. Moreover, each of the cleaning heads 820may be individually housed within one of several compartments 815 withinthe housing 810. Accordingly, each of the disposable cleaning heads 820may be individually sealed by one or more portions 835 of the retainer830 within one of the housing compartments 815.

[0065] The dispenser 800 may also include means 840 for storing a handle850 configured to detachably engage a selected one of the disposablecleaning heads 820. The handle 850 may be substantially similar to theembodiments described above. In the illustrated embodiment, the storagemeans 840 comprises a compartment within the housing 810. In otherembodiment, the storage means 840 may comprise a hook extending from thehousing 810 from which the handle 850 may be hung. Other means forstoring the handle 850 within the dispenser 800 may include detachableadhesive, magnets, hook-and-loop fasteners, interference fit retaining,etc.

[0066] The dispenser 800 may also include an interface 860 for securingthe dispenser 800 to a surface 870 of a furniture panel, a wall, a floorand/or other surfaces a user finds convenient. As in the illustratedembodiment, the interface 860 may comprise apertures for receivingthreaded fasteners, and may comprise threaded fasteners retained in suchapertures. In other embodiments, the interface 860 may comprisedetachable or permanent adhesive, magnets, hook-and-loop fasteners, etc.

[0067] The compartments 815 may also be sized relative to the handle850. That is, each of the compartments 815 may be configured to receivean end of a handle 850 to secure the handle 850 to a selected one of thedisposable cleaning heads 820 before removing the selected disposablecleaning head 820 from the housing 810. For example, the outer diameterof a retaining end of the handle 850 may be at least slightly smallerthan the inner diameter of each compartment 815. The compartments 815may also be tapered, as shown in FIG. 17, to facilitate alignment of thehandle 850 with the cleaning head 820.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 18, illustrated is a schematic view of oneembodiment of a cleaning kit 900 constructed according to aspects of thepresent disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning kit 900includes a dispenser 910 and one or more disposable cleaning heads 920stored in the dispenser 910. The dispenser 910 may be substantiallysimilar to the dispenser 800 shown in FIG. 17. The disposable cleaningheads 920 may be substantially similar to the cleaning head 58 shown inFIGS. 8, 9 and 14 and/or the cleaning head 176 shown in FIGS. 16a-16 c.The dispenser 910 may include any number of cleaning heads 920 withinthe scope of the present disclosure.

[0069] The cleaning kit 900 also includes a handle 930 having an end 935configured to detachably retain a selected one of the disposablecleaning heads 920. The handle 930 may be substantially similar to thehandle 50 shown in FIG. 8, although the handle 50 may not include acleaning head until one of the cleaning heads 920 is assembled with thehandle 930, as described above.

[0070] The cleaning kit 900 may also include a hanging clip 940configured to interface with a toilet, such that the handle 930 may behung from the toilet via the hanging clip 940. For example, the clip 940may include a first hook 945 configured to fit between the top edge of atoilet tank and the lid of the toilet tank, and a second hook 947configured to fit into an opening in the handle 935. Accordingly, thehandle 930 may be conveniently stored with the toilet, eliminating thestorage hassle experienced with conventional toilet brushes.

[0071] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have beendescribed in detail, those skilled in the art should understand thatthey can make various changes, substitutions and alterations hereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cleaning apparatus, comprising: a substantiallyhollow tubular body having a bore extending therein; actuation meansoperably coupled to the body and including a plunger disposed within thebody; and a cleaning head detachably coupled to the body, whereinactuation of the plunger ejects the cleaning head from the body.
 2. Thecleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the actuation means includes aslidable collar concentrically disposed about the body and coupled tothe plunger.
 3. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bodycomprises a receptacle having at least one rib configured to engage thecleaning head.
 4. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cleaninghead comprises a brush.
 5. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein thecleaning head comprises a plurality of bristles and a retainer securingends of the plurality of bristles. 6 The cleaning apparatus of claim 5wherein the plurality of bristles are arranged in a substantially spiralconfiguration.
 7. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cleaninghead includes a concave cleaning surface.
 8. The cleaning apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the cleaning head comprises biodegradable materials. 9.The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cleaning head isdisposable.
 10. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cleaninghead is flushable.
 11. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein thehandle includes at least one O-ring configured to prevent fluid flowinto the body.
 12. A cleaning apparatus, comprising: a body; an actuatoroperably coupled to the body; and a flushable cleaning head detachablycoupled to the body and detachable from the body in response toactuation of the actuator.
 13. A disposable cleaning head for use with ahandle, comprising: a plurality of bristles having ends collectivelyforming a cleaning surface; a plurality of bridges connecting ones ofthe plurality of bristles; a sleeve retaining portions of ones of theplurality of bristles; and a head end detachably couplable to thehandle.
 14. The disposable cleaning head of claim 13 wherein an outerdiameter of the head end is configured to engage an inner diameter of ahandle end of the handle by interference fit.
 15. The disposablecleaning head of claim 13 wherein the cleaning head comprisesbiodegradable materials.
 16. The disposable cleaning head of claim 13wherein the cleaning head is flushable.
 17. The disposable cleaning headof claim 13 wherein ones of the plurality of bristles are wetted with acleaning solution.
 18. The disposable cleaning head of claim 13 furthercomprising a cleansing tablet positioned in a recess in the cleaningsurface.
 19. A handle for use with a disposable cleaning head,comprising: a substantially hollow tubular body having a bore extendingat least partially therein; a plunger head disposed within the boreproximate an end of the body; and a retainer coupled to the body andconfigured to temporarily engage the disposable cleaning head, whereinactuation of the plunger head ejects the disposable cleaning head fromthe retainer.
 20. The handle of claim 19 wherein the body is a unitarybody.
 21. The handle of claim 19 wherein the body comprises at least twoaxially disposed sections.
 22. A disposable cleaning head dispenser,comprising: a housing; a plurality of disposable cleaning heads storedin the housing; and a retainer detachably coupled to the housing andhaving a plurality of selectively removable portions each providingaccess to a corresponding one of the plurality of disposable cleaningheads.
 23. The dispenser of claim 22 wherein each of the plurality ofdisposable cleaning heads is individually sealed within the housing. 24.The dispenser of claim 22 further comprising means for storing a handleconfigured to detachably engage a selected one of the plurality ofdisposable cleaning heads.
 25. The dispenser of claim 22 wherein theplurality of disposable cleaning heads includes at least four cleaningheads.
 26. The dispenser of claim 22 wherein the dispenser includes aninterface for securing the dispenser to a surface selected from thegroup consisting of: a furniture panel; a wall; and a floor.
 27. Thedispenser of claim 22 wherein the housing includes a plurality ofcompartments each containing one of the plurality of disposable cleaningheads.
 28. The dispenser of claim 27 wherein each of the plurality ofcompartments is configured to receive an end of a handle to secure thehandle to a selected one of the plurality of disposable cleaning headsbefore removing the selected one of the plurality of disposable cleaningheads from the housing.
 29. A cleaning kit, comprising: a dispenser; atleast one disposable cleaning head stored in the dispenser; and a handlehaving an end configured to detachably retain the at least onedisposable cleaning head.
 30. The cleaning kit of claim 29 wherein thedispenser includes means for storing the handle.
 31. The cleaning kit ofclaim 29 wherein the dispenser is configured to store at least fourcleaning heads.
 32. The cleaning kit of claim 29 wherein the dispenserincludes an interface for securing the dispenser to a surface selectedfrom the group consisting of: a furniture panel; a wall; and a floor.33. The cleaning kit of claim 29 further comprising a hanging clipconfigured to interface with a toilet, the handle configured to hangfrom the hanging clip.
 34. A method of cleaning a surface, comprising:providing a body; inserting a cleaning head into the body such that thecleaning head is retained in the body; contacting the cleaning headagainst the surface; and ejecting the cleaning head from the body. 35.The method of claim 34 wherein the surface is a surface of a toilet andejecting includes ejecting the cleaning head into the toilet, the methodfurther comprising flushing the toilet after ejecting the cleaning head.36. The method of claim 34 wherein the cleaning head includes aplurality of bristles and contacting the cleaning head against thesurface causes the plurality of bristles to flare.
 37. The method ofclaim 34 wherein the body includes a plunger coupled to a collar, thecollar movably coupled to the body and movable between first and secondpositions, wherein ejecting the cleaning head includes moving the collarfrom the first position towards the second position such that theplunger urges the cleaning head away from the body.
 38. The method ofclaim 37 wherein moving the collar towards the second position causesthe plunger to become substantially flush with an end of the bodythereby ejecting the cleaning head.
 39. The method of claim 38 furthercomprising releasing the collar whereby the collar moves towards thefirst position such that the plunger moves away from the end of thebody.